AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – The 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle is setting its focus on mental health this year, recognizing trauma first responders face on the job.
Executive Director Suzanne Talley says the 100 Club plans to expand peer-to-peer evaluations, giving first responders a space to talk with others who understand the realities of the job.
“When there’s a critical incident, you need peers within your own department who can respond immediately. If we can help build some of those peer-to-peer support teams within the departments, a lot of them already have them, but several do not,” said Talley. “We’d love to see a training for peer-to-peer support to bring everyone together for that purpose.”
Talley says the organization will continue helping Panhandle fire departments with equipment needs, while also expanding care for the mental and emotional well-being of those who serve.
“We understand the importance of their careers,” said Talley. “And although we haven’t experienced it firsthand, we can only imagine that what they see in their career is much more than we see in our lifetime.”
As part of that effort, the 100 Club is hosting its second mental health conference on Feb. 7, featuring motivational speaker and mental health advocate for first responders Travis Howze.
“What we do is we take the gloves off of mental health here at Post Traumatic Purpose,” said Howze. “We get into what it’s like actually being a first responder for the first responders on scene.”
To sign up and learn about the event, visit here.
In 2025, the 100 Club assisted three families after loved ones were injured in the line of duty.
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